Analysis
Madonna University's homeland security bachelor's program shows a challenging financial profile based on what peer institutions typically produce. Comparable programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $48,700—respectable for a public safety career, but when paired with an estimated $27,000 in debt, graduates would face monthly loan payments consuming roughly 13% of their take-home pay for a decade. That's manageable but tight, especially considering homeland security salaries often require years of advancement before reaching stronger earning potential.
The debt estimate here runs higher than both the national median ($23,475) and Michigan's median ($21,500) for this field. Given Madonna's 93% admission rate and modest selectivity, this suggests the program may not be leveraging institutional aid as effectively as similar schools. For families, this matters because homeland security careers—whether in TSA, emergency management, or law enforcement—typically offer stability and benefits rather than exceptional starting salaries. A lower debt load would make this career path more financially sustainable from the outset.
Without actual outcomes data from Madonna's own graduates, you're essentially betting on whether this specific program performs at least as well as the typical homeland security bachelor's program. If your child is committed to public safety work and plans to pursue federal positions where advancement is systematic, the estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 is workable. But compare financial aid packages carefully against Michigan's other three programs before committing—even a few thousand dollars less in loans makes a real difference on a homeland security salary.
Where Madonna University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all homeland security bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Homeland Security bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $27,360 | $48,676* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $13,815 | $90,956* | — | $21,741* | 0.24 | |
| $18,168 | $78,275* | $62,271 | $31,919* | 0.41 | |
| $17,450 | $68,503* | $73,431 | $28,787* | 0.42 | |
| $21,450 | $67,338* | — | $27,855* | 0.41 | |
| $25,220 | $66,446* | — | $23,437* | 0.35 | |
| National Median | — | $48,676* | — | $23,475* | 0.48 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with homeland security graduates
Emergency Management Directors
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
Wind Energy Development Managers
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Madonna University, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 29 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.